2 Chronicles 14:7

(7) Therefore.—And.

These cities.—The “fenced cities” of last verse. Their names are unknown. Geba and Mizpah were fortified by Asa; but that was after the war with Baasha, which began in the twenty-sixth year of Asa (1 Kings 15:33); see 2 Chronicles 16:6. A general system of defence, like that of Rehoboam, who fortified as many as fifteen cities, seems to be indicated.

Walls.—A wall.

Gates (doors) and bars.—1 Samuel 23:7, and 2 Chronicles 8:5, supra, where “bars” is, as usual, singular, bariach. Here it is plural.

While the land is yet before us.—Is open to us, free from hostile occupation. The phrase is apparently borrowed from Genesis 13:9. (Is yet, ‘odennû, masculine pronoun, instead of feminine; probably a clerical error). Omit while, and put a stop at bars. “The land is still before us, for we have sought the Lord,” appears to be the connection of thought.

So they built and prospered—i.e., built prosperously, without let or hindrance.